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Mrs. America tells the story of the movement to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), and the unexpected backlash led by a conservative woman named Phyllis Schlafly, aka “the sweetheart of the silent majority.” Through the eyes of the women of the era – both Schlafly and second wave feminists Gloria Steinem, Betty Friedan, Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug and Jill Ruckelshaus – the series explores how one of the toughest battlegrounds in the culture wars of the 70s helped give rise to the Moral Majority and forever shifted the political landscape.

Since so much of our program year has been canceled and we are all sitting at home now, the NW Suburban AAUW board has decided to put together a “virtual” end of year program. We will be viewing and discussing the new miniseries Mrs. America. If you haven’t seen the write-ups it is about the movement to ratify the ERA in the 70’s and prominently follows Phyllis Schlafly as she organizes against the movement. It is a nine part series hosted by Hulu.

Hulu is a streaming service that you can watch from your computer or TV (if you can figure that out!) Each installment is about an hour long. Hulu has a introductory offer of a month free and also has other packages to chose from. Here is some information about how to use Hulu: https://help.hulu.com/s/article/hulu-sign-up?language=en_US

Participants will watch the series at home (like preparing for book club) and come together via Zoom for discussion on three dates to discuss three segments each time. We are planning for 1- 1 ½ hour discussions.

This month we will once again partner with the Des Plaines Public Library to show the film Iron Jawed Angels. While this is not a new film, it is a “must see” movie. Even if you’ve seen it before, you will be moved and disturbed by what you see. The struggle for suffrage was not easy and it’s not over.

Join us at the library. If enough people are interested, we could once again get together for lunch afterwards.

Even though the suffrage movement was focused on women gaining the right to vote, the battle was mostly fought separately along racial lines. White women shunned and marginalized African American women, which propelled them to form their own groups. Author, speaker, and educator, Michelle Duster explains the racial divisions of the suffrage movement and how the struggle for African American women to be included extends to today when it comes to documentation and commemorations of the movement.

Fran, Cindy & Laurie with some of the supplies dropped off at The Harbour

Fall is All About School

Members and friends generously provided a carload of school supplies and paper goods which were dropped off at The Harbour in late August. The Harbour provides shelter for girls and young women. One goal for the girls is to complete their schooling.

AAUW Work Smart
Most women do not feel comfortable negotiating a salary and benefits for their job. AAUW Work Smart is designed to help participants negotiate for a new job, raise, or promotion. In the workshop attendees will gain confidence in their negotiation style through facilitated discussion and role play.

Why is negotiation so important? AAUW’s research on the gender pay gap shows that, one year out of college, women are already paid significantly less than men. Women who work full time take home 80 cents for every dollar a full time male worker is paid.

As one of the world’s largest sources of funding for graduate women, AAUW is providing $3.9 million in funding for fellowships and grants to 250 outstanding women and nonprofit organizations in the 2018–19 academic year. Deadlines for the 2019-2020 year are fast approaching. Check out details at: http://www.aauw.org/what-we-do/educational-funding-and-awards/